[06/29/09 - 01:52 PM]'Access Hollywood' Co-Anchor Billy Bush and 'Celebrity Apprentice' Star Claudia Jordan to Host the 2009 Miss Universe PageantNBC will air live on Sunday, August 23 at 9:00/8:00c from Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

NEW YORK - June 23, 2009 - Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today that Billy Bush, co-anchor of "Access Hollywood" and Claudia Jordan of "Celebrity Apprentice" and "Deal or No Deal," will host the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant live on NBC on Sunday, August 23rd at 9:00 p.m. ET from Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Billy Bush has been the co-anchor of the daily entertainment newsmagazine sensation "Access Hollywood" since 2004 and has worked as a correspondent on the program since 2001. Bush is also host of the nationally syndicated radio program "The Billy Bush Show." Bush is no stranger to the Miss Universe Organization, having hosted the most recent Miss USA competition in April. In addition, Bush previously hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Model, actress and former Miss Rhode Island USA, Claudia Jordan will serve as co-host. After moving to Los Angeles from Rhode Island, Jordan became a model on "The Price is Right." She then went on to co-host the TV show "Livin' Large" with Carmen Electra and worked as a correspondent for "Best Damn Sports Show Period." Jordan has also been a newspaper reporter and was one of the few female reporters in Washington, D.C. to cover the Million Man March. Jordan was a contestant on Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" and most recently served as a judge at the 2009 Miss USA competition.

Venezuelan native Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast. During her reign, she has traveled the globe as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation. The newly crowned Miss Universe will go on to do the same.

Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2009. In recent years, worldwide distribution of the popular competition has topped more than 180 countries.

Donald J. Trump and Phil Gurin will again serve as Executive Producers for MISS UNIVERSE� 2009.

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ABOUT THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION:

The MISS UNIVERSE�, MISS USA� and MISS TEEN USA� Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, God's Love We Deliver, PSI/YouthAIDS and Gay Men's Health Crisis, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today. For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com.